When I was growing up my parents told me that they beat me because they loved me. This is a true story about a life of abuse – both physical and mental – and my long journey to find ‘true love’.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

To All My Friends

I would never trade my
amazing friends, my wonderful life, and my loving family for less grey
hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to
myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't
chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or
for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so
avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be
messy, to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends
leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that
comes with ageing.

Whose business is it if I
choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon?
I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 & 70's,
and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love .......
I will.I will walk the beach
in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into
the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from
the jet set. They, too, will get old.

I know I am
sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just
as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important
things.Sure, over the
years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not
break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when
somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken
hearts are what give us strength and understanding and
compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and
sterile and will never know the joy of being
imperfect.I am so blessed to have
lived long enough to have my hair turning grey, and to have my youthful
laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.So many have never laughed,
and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.
As you get older, it is
easier to be positive. You care less about what other people
think. I don't question myself anymore.. I've
even earned the right to be wrong.So, to answer
your question, I like being old. It has set me free.
I like the person I have become.. I am not going to live
forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time
lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what
will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if
I feel like it).MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP
NEVER COME APART, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM
THE HEART!